Post-It Notes

The Washington Post's website has several interesting and, fortunately, short articles posted on it's television section. One deals with the rise of devices to seamlessly move programming from your PC (or Mac) to your TV and vice versa. I like the part where they talk about being able to move something from your DVR to another TV in the house that doesn't have one attached. The whole article can be found here.

Another article deals with some interesting Nielsen related fun facts. For instance, did you know that while Studio 60 doesn't do great in the standard "live" ratings, they actually do very well when time shifting is factored in? That means a lot of people are (like me) saving the show and watching it later in the week. So many in fact that the show's ratings jump by 11%. This might help to explain NBC's decision to pick up the show for a whole season. More interesting facts -including the not-so-surprising fact that Coke is the number one product placement- can be found here.

Also on the Post's website, Tom Shales shares a brief lament about the ways in which he believes the Internet serves to diminish or at least chip away at the integrity of traditional television journalism. CBS's 60 Minutes is his example.

Lisa de Moraes writes a piece that bemoans the lack of ingenuity and innovation among network execs who would rather beat a good idea dead twenty times over than take a risk on something that doesn't rely on a proven formula. My favorite quote is, "while imitation is the sincerest form of television, innovation in TV is the sincerest form of desperation". Ironically, or perhaps fittingly, it's usually the network that has the least to lose (because they are are already at the bottom) who takes chances, produces breakout hits with new formulas, resurrects themselves, and ultimately drives other networks not to innovate for themselves, but copy the innovation. Thus the glut of really awful reality programs and completely non-compelling game shows (see 1 vs 100).

Finally, if you would like a spot check on the health of your favorite freshman shows check out this handy chart.


Quick Notes

Speaking of game shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune have been renewed through 2012. What is...good news, Alex?

Bravo has ordered a third season of Top Chef. Word is the second group of chefs is outperforming those from season one, at least ratings wise. I've yet to see anyone in this round with the talent of season one's winner, Harold.